
Central Africa · Soup
Sopa de Cangrejos de Annobón (Annobonese Crab and Green Banana Broth)
A fragrant Annobonese seafood soup brimming with whole crabs, starchy green bananas, and aromatic island spices.
The story
On the volcanic, isolated island of Annobón, fishing families craft this restorative crab broth as an essential midday meal following deep ocean voyages. The recipe pairs fresh Atlantic shore crabs with green cooking bananas, whose released amylose thickens the soup without need for imported starches. Annobonese cooks leave the crab carapaces intact during boiling so the fatty brown meat and sweet juices dissolve straight into the fragrant red palm broth.
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